Legal Dispute Ends And Clears Way For Home Video Release Of `Platoon`

January 22, 1988|By Mary Stevens.

After months of legal dispute, ``Platoon`` is finally coming to home video. Vestron Video has announced that a final agreement has been reached with HBO Video, the company that bought the video distribution rights to both ``Platoon`` and ``Hoosiers.`` Hemdale Films, producers of the two hit movies, claimed that Vestron had reneged on a deal to help finance the making of the movies.

Vestron was paid $15.7 million in the settlement with HBO and won the right to distribute both videos, free of all royalties to Hemdale Films, after Aug. 31. HBO Video may distribute the videos up until that date.

Copies of ``Hoosiers`` have remained in the video stores throughout the legal battle. ``Platoon`` release was scheduled for October but was halted by a last-minute court order.

The video industry was stunned when Vestron and HBO failed to settle the dispute in time for the busy Christmas shopping season. The holidays came and went without the release of ``Platoon.`` Now many trade publications and industry insiders are speculating that the public has grown tired of waiting for ``Platoon`` and that interest in the movie has dwindled.